17 Fun Facts About Edinburgh

Edinburgh has always intrigued me, especially after hearing about my friend’s trip to this haunted city. From her tales of encounters with ghosts to her preference for haggis over all other foods, Edinburgh quickly became a top travel destination on my list.

But is Edinburgh’s charm really as irresistible as she claims?

Here are some key facts about Edinburgh:

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Now, let’s dive into 17 fun facts about the Scottish capital and learn what makes it so special.

2. Edinburgh’s Royal Mile stretches beyond its name at 1.12 miles long

The Royal Mile in Edinburgh, Scotland runs 1 mile and 107 yards between Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace and has served as the medieval city’s main street since the 12th century.

In 1767, city planners developed Edinburgh’s New Town parallel to the Royal Mile, expanding the Scottish capital beyond its medieval boundaries. The 19-arch South Bridge, completed in 1788, carries traffic over the Cowgate valley beneath the Royal Mile.

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3. Edinburgh is one of the most haunted cities in the world

Edinburgh had witch hunts, dead bodies in lakes and public executions. Grassmarket, the historic area below Edinburgh Castle, was a marketplace and the site for public executions.

300,000 pedestrians walk the aforementioned Royal Mile each week during peak tourist season, passing Old Tolbooth, a former prison and execution site.

>> Discover more haunted places: The 10 Most Haunted Places In The World

4. Edinburgh chose the mythological unicorn as Scotland’s national animal in 1369

In 1369, Scotland’s Parliament added the unicorn to the royal coat of arms, selecting the mythical beast for its reputation for strength and inability to be tamed.

James VI of Scotland paired the chained unicorn with England’s lion on the royal coat of arms in 1603 upon becoming James I of England.

5. Edinburgh drained a sewage-filled lake to create Princes Street Gardens

In 1460, Edinburgh’s city planners flooded the valley below Edinburgh Castle to create Nor Loch, a 42-acre lake protecting the Old Town’s northern side. The artificial lake stretched 1.2 miles along the current Princes Street.

By 1700, Nor Loch had become Edinburgh’s primary sewage dump, with waste from its residents free flowing. Engineers drained Nor Loch in 1788 to construct the New Town, converting the lakebed into Princes Street Gardens.

Four million people visit the former poop lake turned 37-acre gardens each year.

6. Edinburgh’s Balmoral Hotel clock runs 3 minutes fast to help travelers catch trains

In 1902, the North British Railway Company opened the 190-foot Balmoral Hotel at 52 North Bridge in Edinburgh, Scotland. The hotel connected directly to Waverley Station through a private elevator. The hotel’s clock tower has run three minutes fast since 1902 to make sure train passengers arrive on time.

7. Edinburgh Castle sits on a 700-million-year-old extinct volcano

Edinburgh Castle sits on Castle Rock, an ancient extinct volcanic neck formed over 700 million years ago. Within the castle, St. Margaret’s Chapel is Edinburgh’s oldest surviving building, dating back to the 12th century.

Edinburgh Castle’s Great Hall was a royal meeting place, built in memory of Queen Margaret, who allegedly died from a broken heart after the death of her husband.

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8. A hidden window above Edinburgh Castle’s fireplace let rulers eavesdrop on guests

King David I built St. Margaret’s Chapel in 1130 CE. It was Edinburgh’s first stone building, built in memory of his mother Queen Margaret who, allegedly died from a broken heart after the death of her husband.

James IV added the 164-foot Great Hall in 1511 CE, installing the “laird’s lug” (Lord’s ear) spy window above its massive fireplace. The opening let Scottish rulers secretly monitor conversations below. The window allowed castle residents to eavesdrop on chats taking place in the Great Hall.

You can see this during demonstrations of the acoustics of the spy window on daily tours.

2.2 million visitors eavesdrop on the site of this extinct volcano each year.

9. The Honours of Scotland are the oldest surviving crown jewels in the British Isles

The Honours of Scotland, housed in Edinburgh Castle, include the crown, scepter and sword of state. These treasures date back to the 15th and 16th centuries. They were hidden during the English Civil War and rediscovered in 1818.

10. The Edinburgh Fringe Festival is the largest arts festival in the world

The Edinburgh Fringe Festival is the world’s largest arts festival, with over 3,000 shows and 50,000 performances over 300 venues. It is the third-largest ticketed event globally after the Olympics and FIFA World Cup. During the Fringe, Edinburgh doubles in size, drawing millions of visitors.

The festival kicks off every year on August 3rd.

11. Edinburgh was the first city in the world to establish a fire brigade

In 1824, Edinburgh became the first city worldwide to organize an official fire brigade. There’s no word as to whether they had dalmatians and a fire pole.

12. Edinburgh’s most iconic failure cost £16,000 to abandon in 1829

Architects designed the National Monument of Scotland on Calton Hill, a volcanic hill with some of the best city views. The goal was to honor Scottish soldiers and sailors killed in the Napoleonic Wars.

Construction of the Parthenon¹-inspired memorial began in 1826, but financial shortages halted work in 1829, leaving only 12 Doric² columns completed. The unfinished monument earned nicknames including “Edinburgh’s Folly” and “Scotland’s Disgrace.”

Address: Carlton Hill, Edinburgh, EH7 5BN, Scotland

1. Parthenon: an ancient Greek temple
2. Doric: a simple style of column used in classical Greek architecture

13. Edinburgh’s Old Town and New Town are UNESCO World Heritage Sites

In 1995, Edinburgh’s Old Town and New Town were designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The Old Town’s medieval street layout differs from the neoclassical design of the New Town, completed in the 18th century.

14. J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter books derived from Edinburgh, Scotland

J.K. Rowling wrote much of the Harry Potter books in Edinburgh, drawing her inspiration from The Elephant House, Victoria Street and Greyfriars Kirkyard. Fans of the Harry Potter movies and books can visit key sites to witness the city’s literary magic.

15. Edinburgh hosts the largest literary festival in the world

The Edinburgh International Book Festival is the world’s largest literary festival. It features over 900 events, attracting authors and readers from around the globe. In 2004, Edinburgh became UNESCO’s first City of Literature.

Address: Charlotte Square Gardens, Edinburgh, EH2 4DR, Scotland

Dates: August 9th to 24th, 2025

16. Edinburgh’s Waverley Station is the only train station in the world named after a novel

Opened in 1846, Waverley Station was named after Sir Walter Scott’s novel Waverley. Today, it’s a major transportation hub, serving over 20 million passengers annually.

17. Edinburgh Zoo is home to Sir Nils Olav, a knighted king penguin

The Edinburgh Zoo has a king penguin named Sir Nils Olav, who was promoted to the rank of Brigadier in 2016. The zoo also contributes to global conservation efforts and attracts visitors from around the world. Tickets are required and cheaper when purchased in advance online.

Address: 134 Corstorphine Road, Edinburgh EH12 6TS, Scotland

Hours: The zoo operates from 10 AM daily, closing at 4 PM from January to February and from November to December, 5 PM in March and October, 6 PM from April to September and remains closed on Christmas Day.

References:

• City of Literature
• Edinburgh Book Festival
• Edinburgh Zoo
• Fringe Festival
• Queen of Scotland